Disclaimer: The author and I share a publisher, and I helped proofread this novel before publication. If I had not been reading this novel on an expensive electronic device, I’d have thrown it across the room when I got to the ending. But not because it was a bad book. On the contrary, this book … Continue reading Review: SNOWED by Maria Alexander
NaNoWriMo 2016 (sort of)
It's that time of year again, kids! When the writers in your life disappear for hours upon end, consume copious quantities of caffeine (and sometimes alcohol), and come out the other end of 30 days with some semblance of a book completed. Though I'm not officially signed up for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which … Continue reading NaNoWriMo 2016 (sort of)
October Wrap-Up & November Goals
This month I traveled to Delaware, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. I also attended three weddings in three weekends. Frankly, the fact that I managed to do anything during my "free time" besides curl up in a little ball and watch Netflix is pretty impressive. October Wrap-up: I wrote 15k words instead of 20k words, but … Continue reading October Wrap-Up & November Goals
Review: A TRAIL THROUGH TIME (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #4) by Jodi Taylor
It's hard to be a fan of time travel stories without also acquiring some familiarity of the alternate universe trope along the way. Jodi Taylor switches up her world a bit as Max receives the full effect of her second chance. But there are still enough similarities to our original St. Mary's Institute of Historical … Continue reading Review: A TRAIL THROUGH TIME (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #4) by Jodi Taylor
Review: ESSENTIAL MAGIC (Fay of Skye #1) by Cara McKinnon
Disclaimer: The author and I attended the same graduate school program and participate in group promotional tours for our books. However, I purchased my hardcopy version of this novel for full price. For a person who doesn't claim to be a "romance book" reader, I seem to keep lucking out with some amazing speculative fiction … Continue reading Review: ESSENTIAL MAGIC (Fay of Skye #1) by Cara McKinnon
Review: A SECOND CHANCE (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3) by Jodi Taylor
You could read this as another installment of a series that only brings you time travel adventure (and misadventure). And if you read the book that way, or if that was all you were looking for, you'd still be in for a great ride. On the surface, this book doesn't bring anything to the fuller … Continue reading Review: A SECOND CHANCE (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #3) by Jodi Taylor
Review: A SYMPHONY OF ECHOES (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #2) by Jodi Taylor
There’s always a vague worry when picking up the second book in a series that it won’t quite measure up. That the first amazing novel was a flash-in-the-pan fluke, sucking up all of the author’s creativity and leaving only the dregs of inspiration for future installments. Luckily, I loved A Symphony of Echoes at least … Continue reading Review: A SYMPHONY OF ECHOES (Chronicles of St. Mary’s #2) by Jodi Taylor
September Wrap-Up & October Goals
I know the month isn't quite over, but I'm off to Broadkill Resort for DogCon V tomorrow, so let's do this thing! September Wrap-up: Words were written in book 4! Specifically, 15k of them, so the goal was officially met. I'm in the swing of things now, and doing that thing where I look at the … Continue reading September Wrap-Up & October Goals
Review: HIDDEN DESIGN: THE PROPHECY by Tia Tormen & C.K. Stone
Sex sells. Everyone knows that. Marketing professionals especially know that. But does the inclusion of sex necessarily make something better? Erotica has become more mainstream in popular fiction within the past few years and can make any genre book more appealing to the right audience. In some cases, however, the sexual element can detract from … Continue reading Review: HIDDEN DESIGN: THE PROPHECY by Tia Tormen & C.K. Stone
Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Disclaimer: I received a free ebook of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. It’s no surprise that I was drawn to this book immediately, considering it’s fusion of fantasy and science-fiction elements, it’s excellent world-building, and its awesome protagonist named Vic (short for Victoria). But I’ve been burned by free … Continue reading Review: A WIZARD’S FORGE (Woern Saga #1) by A.M. Justice
Author Interview with A.M. Justice: Parallel Paths Redux
A few weeks ago, a lovely speculative fiction author contacted me out of the blue with an interesting proposal. She had stumbled across me on the Internet and thought it would be fun if we did a bit of cross-promotion since we had so much in common. She featured me with an interview on her … Continue reading Author Interview with A.M. Justice: Parallel Paths Redux
Author Interview: Jessica Knauss
I was delighted to interview author Jessica Knauss in support of her new novel, Awash in Talent (now available in ebook and hardcopy). About the Book So much Talent can kill you. Welcome to Providence, Rhode Island, home of telekinetics, firestarters, and psychics! Emily can’t escape her annoyingly Talented telekinetic healer sister without committing a crime. Kelly … Continue reading Author Interview: Jessica Knauss
Review: BURN FOR ME (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
I really try not to be one of those people who judges a book by the cover, but I don't think there can be any argument that the cover of Burn For Me is about the most romance cover to ever be a romance cover. I don't care. Buy the book anyway. Ilona Andrews overturns … Continue reading Review: BURN FOR ME (Hidden Legacy #1) by Ilona Andrews
“Evolution of Vampires in Popular Fiction” on Speculative Chic
About a year ago, I was lucky enough to be featured on SF Signal, an amazing blog that featured all things speculative fiction. To help promote my own brand-new, nontraditional vampire novel, I condensed years worth of research into a short article on the evolution of how vampires have been represented in popular fiction throughout … Continue reading “Evolution of Vampires in Popular Fiction” on Speculative Chic
August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Another slow month production-wise, another stressful month regarding real life. I'm having a hard time living by myself, and disaster struck one of my favorite places in the world earlier this month. August Wrap-Up: I aimed for 15k to 20k words drafted for book 4. I am actually impressed that I ended the month with … Continue reading August Wrap-Up & September Goals
Review: SWEEP IN PEACE (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews
This particular collection of books by writing team Ilona Andrews is published as serial novels on their website. When I read the first book in the Innkeeper Chronicles, I was really afraid that it was going to be a meandering mess. However, I ate up the first book (Clean Sweep) and was happy to come back … Continue reading Review: SWEEP IN PEACE (Innkeeper Chronicles #2) by Ilona Andrews
Review: NO NORMAL (Ms. Marvel Vol. 1) by G. Wilson & Adrian Alphona
My husband has been on a kick for graphic novels written by women, and I've been on a kick for diversity representation in speculative fiction, so this was a delightful find for both of us. I'm not familiar with any incarnation of this Marvel hero, but I was easily absorbed into the story line. I am … Continue reading Review: NO NORMAL (Ms. Marvel Vol. 1) by G. Wilson & Adrian Alphona
Review: JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #1) by Jodi Taylor
I stumbled across this book and picked it up on a whim, and I’m ever so glad that I did. While the concept of “secret organization that uses time travel for historical research purposes” isn’t new, Taylor manages to make this version her own with a number of subtle changes to the trope. One of … Continue reading Review: JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #1) by Jodi Taylor
Review: SMALL MAGICS by Ilona Andrews
Favorite story: Because I'm always thrilled to learn more about Kate's protege, I was delighted to read "Magic Tests" in this collection. Julie shined in this story, especially because she's not just a miniature version of Kate. She's been influenced by all the adults in her life, and it shows in the way she handles interpersonal … Continue reading Review: SMALL MAGICS by Ilona Andrews
RDSP News Roundup
It's been a while since I posted, because I've been a bit caught up in things like writing book 4, reading lots of books, and binge-watching Orphan Black. (No spoilers, please. I'm only on season 2.) But lots has gone on in the world of my amazing publisher, Raw Dog Screaming Press, in the meantime. I … Continue reading RDSP News Roundup